For some reason a couple of news articles about a new Chinese ‘super computer’ bother me a lot. I suppose it seem to be an real ominous sign amidst a lot of words about China’s recent progress. And, a real event in an area that is important for the future of us and them. Here are a couple of articles: First a pre-announcement from the Wall Street Journal (subscription may be required), and an article on the announcement from Information Week.
I suppose it is inevitable given the seeming preponderance of Non U.S. nationals in U.S. science and engineering programs.

2 Responses to “This news bothers me (More than it should?).”

Why does it bother you that the Chinese are becoming leaders in some fields?

Fareed Zakaria pointed out in his book “The Post-American World” that just because the US no longer dominates economically or scientifically does not mean we are declining. Instead it is the “rise of the rest”. The world is changing, but the change is largely for the better and caused by the benign development of other power centers, not by some collapse or decline of the United States.

As my title implies, I surprised myself by my reaction to this news, but I can’t buy into the “Every day in every way everyone is getting better and better” theory. Doesn’t seem to jibe with history, but possibly true averaged over 6 billion people over several hundred years.
The US has thrived on technology, but we seem to be skimping on investment in new technology in favor protecting vested interests. Much of what is going on seems to be backward looking fighting over the rewards of the past. Not particularly wrt super computing. That was just a trigger.